PROVINCE INVESTS $11.9 MILLION IN DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT

The Manitoba government is investing $11.9 million in new diagnostic equipment to replace aging equipment nearing the end of its service life, Health Minister Erin Selby announced today.

“Modernizing health equipment is a priority to ensure that health-care facilities continue to offer the best possible care to Manitoba’s families for years to come,” said Minister Selby. “By replacing old technology, we can make our diagnostic services even better.”

a mass spectrometer and portable ultrasound scanner at St. Boniface General Hospital;

radiography suites in Eriksdale and Neepawa;

new computed radiography equipment which enhances the X-ray machines in Dauphin and Swan River;

an ultrasound scanner at Victoria General Hospital; and

a high-resolution digital ultrasound system at St. Boniface Cancer Care.

“Diagnostic Services Manitoba is proud to offer imaging services to Manitoba’s rural communities,” said Jim Slater, CEO. “The equipment upgrades allow us to continue providing safe, quality results that matter to patients and their physicians to help diagnose and treat health concerns.”

The minister noted that since 1999 the provincial government has invested more than $145 million in new and replacement diagnostic equipment and services across the province. These investments have resulted in better services for Manitobans, for example, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans alone have increased from 10, 622 in 1999 to 70,410 in 2013.